The Free Agent Every NFL Team Must Re-Sign in 2025

We're just two weeks out from the start of the 2025 NFL free-agent frenzy, with hundreds of skilled veterans on track to hit the open market. 

But not all of them will jump to other teams. 

Here's one in-house impending unrestricted free agent that every franchise needs to keep from finding a new employer.

AFC East

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Austin Hooper

Buffalo Bills: CB Rasul Douglas

Douglas beats out Amari Cooper because the Bills have more options at receiver than cornerback, and Damar Hamlin because he's simply a better player. That said, the world wouldn't end for Buffalo if all three got away.

Miami Dolphins: G Liam Eichenberg

Jevon Holland will be too expensive, and all three of their established guards—Eichenberg, Isaiah Wynn and Rob Jones—are impending free agents. Some continuity would be nice, and Eichenberg has the most upside of the three.

New England Patriots: TE Austin Hooper

This is all about Drake Maye. While the Pats can comfortably say adios to aging vets such as Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise Jr., some continuity with a guy who helped the rookie quarterback progress in 2025 is important. 

New York Jets: OT Morgan Moses

D.J. Reed and Haason Reddick might be too costly as they'll have to ensure their next quarterback is well-supported. That starts with bringing back extremely steady veteran Moses at right tackle. Oddly, that may not happen.

AFC North

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Nick Chubb

Baltimore Ravens: OT Ronnie Stanley

With left tackles so hard to come by, the Ravens can't afford to let Lamar Jackson's talented and accomplished blindside protector get away. Even if Stanley has a spotty injury history, doing so would almost certainly represent a step backward for a team that needs to somehow move forward. 

Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mike Hilton

The Bengals would, of course, love to bring back Tee Higgins, but they would survive without him thanks to the dominance of Ja'Marr Chase. Hilton is one of the steadiest slot corners in the league, and this defense can't afford to get worse.

Cleveland Browns: RB Nick Chubb

Chubb hasn't been a factor in two years and is unlikely to pull a Saquon Barkley in Cleveland, but he certainly has that ability and should come a little cheaper as a result of his injury history. With a lot of change coming, he is one thing the Browns should try to keep in place on a prove-it deal. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Russell Wilson

The future Hall of Famer is far from done after posting a league-best 119.4 passer rating on deep attempts in 2024, and he's the best option Pittsburgh has right now. There's a good chance it would regret letting him walk after a promising year of acclimation there.

AFC South

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Houston Texans: Edge Derek Barnett

He might not get snaps or attention like Danielle Hunter or Will Anderson Jr., but the 2017 first-rounder continues to be a playmaker in his prime and that makes life easier on both starters. It's ideal to have three solid pass-rushers these days. 

Indianapolis Colts: G Will Fries

The Colts have some decent options beyond Dayo Odeyingbo, who may be a one-hit wonder anyway. The key, especially if they may lose aging center Ryan Kelly, is to at least keep Fries and his high ceiling in place for quarterback Anthony Richardson. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: G Brandon Scherff

This one is easy. It's a critical year for Trevor Lawrence, and the reliable veteran Scherff helps protect the franchise quarterback. This is also about the ever-important continuity along the line.

Tennessee Titans: OT Dillon Radunz

There's still a chance the 2021 second-round pick becomes something, but he barely beats out "nobody" for this rebuilding franchise. Might as well bolster support and keep some talent around whoever will be quarterbacking the offense in 2025.

AFC West

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Denver Broncos: LB Cody Barton

It's either Barton or D.J. Jones, simply because it would be ideal for the Broncos to bring back one of the two key free-agent front-seven defenders within a defense that was excellent in 2024. Barton is younger and has more upside. 

Kansas City Chiefs: WR DeAndre Hopkins

Trey Smith is likely gone, and most of Patrick Mahomes' pass-catchers could get away as well. In the interest of keeping one veteran weapon in the quarterback's arsenal, Hopkins should take priority on a short-term deal. 

Las Vegas Raiders: LB Robert Spillane

One of the leaders of this defense is in his prime and coming off a second consecutive stellar season in Vegas. This is exactly the type of player worth spending money on, even if it's a slight overpay from a cap-rich team. 

Los Angeles Chargers: RB J.K. Dobbins

If this offense is going to keep growing in Jim Harbaugh's second season and the Bolts want to become a true contender, they have to bring back this playmaking 26-year-old.

NFC East

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Dallas Cowboys: CB Jourdan Lewis

It's imperative the Cowboys keep the defense together as best they can. Ideally, that means bringing back Lewis, Eric Kendricks and Osa Odighizuwa. But Kendricks will be 33 and Odighizuwa could still flame out. Lewis is an established, reliable and versatile contributor and a great presence in the locker room.

New York Giants: WR Darius Slayton

Adoree' Jackson might be a bigger name, but he's older, likely more expensive and has injury concerns. Slayton is an underrated weapon who can still grow at age 28, and he's a leader on and off the field. He would be a benefit to the next quarterback. 

Philadelphia Eagles: G Mekhi Becton

They have three strong defenders slated to hit the market in Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, but the fact that they have options there and plenty of defensive depth makes Becton the more critical re-sign. If they're going to run this back, they have to keep that jacked offensive line together. 

Washington Commanders: LB Bobby Wagner

The Commanders won't be crippled by any losses, but this one would hurt. Wagner doesn't age and is arguably the heart and soul of this defense. They need another season or two from the 34-year-old.

NFC North

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Chicago Bears: WR Keenan Allen

Caleb Williams really likes working with Allen, and his presence is strong on the field and in the locker room. That should be all that is needed to bring the 32-year-old back. Offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Coleman Shelton should be replaced.

Detroit Lions: CB Carlton Davis

The defense took a big step forward in 2024 but has to keep building. Losing its top cornerback would make that difficult. It would be nice if the Lions could get Kevin Zeitler back along the offensive line, too, but he's 34 and thus a lower priority. 

Green Bay Packers: LB Eric Wilson

Is he a make-or-break player? No. But Josh Myers is likely unaffordable and replaceable, and Wilson is a strong insurance policy in the front seven for a team with no critical impending free agents.

Minnesota Vikings: RB Aaron Jones

It's tough to pick a defensive back because practically all of them are free agents, and the Vikings may opt to overhaul the secondary. I'm also not rolling with Sam Darnold because he collapsed late in 2024, and Minnesota has a first-round sophomore in J.J. McCarthy under center. Let’s focus on who can best support the young QB, and that starts with a well-established back coming off a career year.

NFC South

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Atlanta Falcons: C Drew Dalman

This is all about Michael Penix Jr. The sophomore first-round pick needs to be surrounded by proven support and experience, and he's already started to work with Dalman at center. No-brainer.

Carolina Panthers: LB Shaq Thompson

Injuries and age are a factor, but it's important this team retains locker room leaders, and a healthy Thompson could still do a lot for this defense as well. No other impending free-agent Panthers are difference-makers. 

New Orleans Saints: Edge Chase Young

Incredibly, Young is still only 25 years old, and there's a chance the 2020 No. 2 overall pick still becomes something special. Even if the Saints blow it up, he would be a good guy to invest in for at least another year or two. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin

The accomplished veteran was still excellent when healthy in 2024 and is still on the right side of 30. It would be hard for the Bucs to replace a healthy Godwin, which is probably necessary if they want to truly contend. 

NFC West

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Arizona Cardinals: G Will Hernandez

The key is actually that the Cardinals avoid losing both Hernandez and fellow guard Evan Brown, who might not be as accomplished but was quite reliable when Hernandez was hurt in 2024. Backup Trystan Colon is also an impending free agent. Arizona has to keep the line somewhat together for Kyler Murray and James Conner. 

Los Angeles Rams: OT Alaric Jackson

This is an easy one. If the Rams are going to try to keep this thing going another year or two, they can’t afford to lose their stalwart left tackle. 

San Francisco 49ers: LB Dre Greenlaw

Injuries are a concern with Greenlaw, but that should bring the price down a little on a player who is likely needed if this team is going to bounce back and contend in 2025. He is a massive presence on and off the field in San Francisco. 

Seattle Seahawks: DL Jarran Reed

It's a toss-up between Reed and Ernest Jones IV as part of that defensive front seven. I trust the former a little more, and he'll likely come slightly cheaper because of his age. The key is to keep at least one of the two.